LTO Strictly Enforces Road Safety Policies

THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION of road safety policies will be implemented this year without let up, Land Transportation Office (LTO)-9 Regional Director Aminola Abaton said over the weekend. This means that there will be strict enforcement of laws governing

the use of helmets, early warning device and the mandatory use of seat belts as well as the impounding of colorum vehicles and fly-by-night PUJs, without franchises.

Abaton added this campaign was not fully set straight by LTO last year as they prioritized first the education and training of their personnel and LTO-deputized members of the PNP, as well as local and provincial traffic enforcers’ auxiliary units.

It was learned that the Presidential Anti Colorum and Kotong Task Force (PACKTAF), headed by Usec. Roy Quiamco, already started their operations in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay and Pagadian City early this month.

The PACKTAF employs selected LTO, DOTC, HPG, AFP and PNP elements who go after illegal practices such as colorum operations and mulcting.

Last May, PACKTAF’s national campaign led to the arrest of 63 PNP personnel who were involved in these violations and 79 other individuals from the LTO, LTFRB and various LGUs for extortion and other related crimes.

“When operations on road safety policies will be implemented in Zambosur, the driving public, commuters and motorists will not anymore worry because they have been informed and educated already,” Abaton assured.

He also said LTO will still set up checkpoints at strategic areas on the highways around the Zamboanga Peninsula and a team of road-safety personnel will be posted on an 8-hour period to ensure that colorum vehicles and those without warning devices or registrations are intercepted and impounded.

It was gathered that the LTO is now implementing a quality management system to comply with international standards of issuing drivers' licenses.

The latest statistic obtained by this paper shows that LTO-9’s revenue collection for 2008 totaled P204,560,063, surpassing their target of P184,840,000.